A mad keen angler with a distinct dislike for school, clever boy James went on to turn his passion for fish and fishing into a scientific research career. In pursuit of his research James moved to Scotland, where he was immediately captivated by the irresistible pull of the mountains.Struggling to find fulfilment in life, despite a promising career in science, James dreamt instead of working in the outdoors. Escaping to the mountains every weekend and holiday, was this just a pipe dream? How could he make it happen? Was it even possible? A trip to the Himalayas and a special lady were about to change everything. A Quest For Fulfilment is a light-hearted yet truthful and inspiring insight into one man's journey to professional and personal fulfilment in the mountains.

An illuminating introduction to the philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir and its relevance to modern life In an age of self-exposure, what does it mean to be authentic? “Authenticity” has become attenuated to the point of meaninglessness; everyone says to be yourself, but what that means is anyone’s guess. For existential philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, authenticity is not the revelation of a true self, but an exhilarating quest towards fulfillment. Her view, central to existentialism, is that we exist first and then spend the rest of our lives creating—not discovering—who we are. To be authentic is to live in pursuit of self-creation and self-renewal, with many different paths towards diverse goals. How to Be Authentic is a lively introduction to Simone de Beauvoir's philosophy of existentialism, as well as an exploration of the successes and failures that Beauvoir and other women have experienced in striving towards authenticity. Skye C. Cleary takes us through some of life’s major relationships and milestones: friendship; romantic love; marriage; children; and death, and examines how each offers an opportunity for us to stretch toward authenticity. While many people don’t get to choose their path in life—whether because of systemic oppression or the actions of other individuals—Cleary makes a compelling case that Beauvoir’s ideas can help us become more conscious of living purposefully, thoughtfully, and with vitality, and she shows us how to do so in responsible ways that invigorate every person’s right to become poets of their own lives.

“Life is an expression of our mind.” Kazuo Inamori The international bestseller A Compass to Fulfillment is a spiritual business guide particularly relevant to our present day and age. Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera and KDDI, weaves together his Buddhist faith and personal experience to create a life/business philosophy based on the simplest but most profound of human concepts: do the right thing, always. Inamori credits his and his companies’ extraordinary success to the daily practice of this timeless truth. In A Compass to Fulfillment, the author helps you develop your own personal philosophy for success by: Recognizing your deepest desires and using them to create a better reality Informing all decisions with simple truths and principles Elevating your mind and practicing humility Living your life steered by an attitude of selfless service Controlling the trajectory of your life by accepting the “will of the universe” A Compass to Fulfillment is about strategic thinking, but not in the sense of business and management technicalities. It is about, first, understanding yourself, and then using that knowledge to get to the point you want to be— in your career, in your business, and in your life.

Contrary to the assumption that Western and Eastern European economies and cinemas were very different from each other, they actually had much in common. After the Second World War both the East and the West adopted a mixed system, containing elements of both socialism and capitalism, and from the 1980s on the whole of Europe, albeit at an uneven speed, followed the neoliberal agenda. This book examines how the economic systems of the East and West impacted labor by focusing on the representation of work in European cinema. Using a Marxist perspective, it compares the situation of workers in Western and Eastern Europe as represented in both auteurist and popular films, including those of Tony Richardson, Lindsay Anderson, Jean-Luc Godard, Andrzej Wajda, DušanMakavejev, Jerzy Skolimowski, the Dardenne Brothers, Ulrich Seidl and many others.

The emergence of spirituality in contemporary culture in holistic forms suggests that organised religions have failed. This thesis is explored and disputed in this book in ways that mark important critical divisions. This is the first collection of essays to assess the significance of spirituality in the sociology of religion. The authors explore the relationship of spirituality to the visual, individualism, gender, identity politics, education and cultural capital. The relationship between secularisation and spirituality is examined and consideration is given to the significance of Simmel in relation to a sociology of spirituality. Problems of defining spirituality are debated with reference to its expression in the UK, the USA, France and Holland. This timely, original and well structured volume provides undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers with a scholarly appraisal of a phenomenon that can only increase in sociological significance.

In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life. Too many of us believe that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit—that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover life’s secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us—right here, right now. To explore how we can craft lives of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives. To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces us to compelling seekers of meaning—from the drug kingpin who finds his purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.

Have you ever wondered why some tasks come naturally to you, while others leave you feeling frustrated and bored? Paul Burgess believes it's because we all have a unique combination of Instinctive Drives that act as an internal compass, guiding our thoughts and actions. Natural Born Success will help you to discover your innate operating system — your I.D. — so that you can get 'in stride' in your life. Knowing your I.D. will enable you to harness your inborn skills and reach new heights in your career, relationships, finances and family. Validated by scientific research, the I.D. System is the only psychometric profiling tool that delves beneath people's behaviour and personality to explore their Instinctive Drives. Realise your full potential and life purpose by tapping into the natural motivations and talents that define the real you.